The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows coated in condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a larger air-quality deficit within your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can try to address the problem.
What Produces Sweating on Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the moist warm air throughout your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent in the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s necessary to understand the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture on the inside of a window is created from the warm humid air inside your home condensing on the glass.
- Any moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean a Problem
Though you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be evidence your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home
Thankfully there are numerous options for eliminating moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier operating within your home – whether it be a small-scale unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.
If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from an entire room. However, portable units require emptying out water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Port St. Lucie.
Other Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
- Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.
